Greece Luxury Crewed Catamaran Charter | High Tide Yacht Charters

The base charter fee covers the yacht, all standard equipment, and the full-time services of a professional crew — typically a captain and a chef/hostess. It does not include fuel, food and beverages, port and marina fees, or Greek VAT. These variable costs are covered by a separate Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) of around 25–30% of the charter fee, which is managed by the captain and fully itemised at the end of the trip. Any unspent APA balance is refunded to you directly.

The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is a dedicated expense account — typically 25–30% of the base charter fee — paid before the charter begins and held by the captain. It covers fuel, mooring and marina fees, food and drink provisioning, harbour dues, and other running costs. The captain manages it with full transparency and provides a detailed account at the end of the charter. Any unused balance is refunded; any overspend can be topped up during the trip or settled at the end.

No sailing experience is required for a fully crewed charter. Your captain handles all sailing and navigation, and your crew takes care of everything on board. You simply enjoy the experience. If you'd like to get involved — take the helm, help trim the sails, or learn the basics — the captain is usually delighted to have you participate. For bareboat charters (where you sail the boat yourselves), relevant qualifications and sea miles are required.

Base charter fees for luxury crewed catamarans in Greece typically run from €11,500 to €30,000+ per week depending on the yacht, season, and home port. Once Greek VAT (13%), APA (25–30%), and crew gratuity (10–15% of the total charter cost) are added, the true all-in figure is typically 50–65% above the headline rate. For a detailed breakdown, use our Greece charter cost calculator.

Gratuity is discretionary but strongly customary in the charter industry as a way to recognise exceptional service. The standard guideline is 10–15% of the total charter cost (base fee + VAT + APA), presented to the captain at the end of the charter who distributes it fairly among the crew. It can be given in cash, or deducted from any remaining APA balance. Budget a minimum of 10% and adjust based on the quality of service you receive.Use our Crew Gratuity calculator.

Yes — completely. Your itinerary is planned in advance with your charter broker and captain based on your interests and the cruising area, but it remains fully flexible throughout the week. You can linger longer in an anchorage you love, swap a busy marina for a quiet bay, or add an island stop on a whim. Before departure, you'll complete a preference questionnaire covering dietary requirements, favourite foods and drinks, activities, and any special occasions — allowing the chef and crew to personalise every aspect of your time on board.

May to mid-June and September to October offer the best overall balance — settled weather, warm sea temperatures, quieter anchorages, and charter rates 30–40% below peak summer pricing. July and August are peak season: guaranteed sunshine and the longest days, but the strongest Meltemi winds in the Cyclades and Aegean (regularly Force 5–7), and the busiest marinas. For families or first-time charterers, September is consistently the most recommended month.

Most luxury crewed catamarans in our Greece fleet include a selection of water toys such as paddleboards, kayaks, snorkelling gear, a tender with outboard, and often a Seabob or similar. Some yachts carry jet skis, waterskis, wakeboards, or an inflatable slide. Each yacht's specific equipment is listed on its individual page. Note that operating motorised watercraft such as jet skis requires a valid licence in Greek waters, and scuba diving requires a recognised certification such as PADI.

The Greek charter grounds cover four main regions. The Cyclades include Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and Milos — the most iconic Greek island scenery, best suited to experienced crews or crewed charters given the Meltemi wind. The Ionian Islands — Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Paxos, and Corfu — offer the most sheltered sailing and are ideal for families and first-timers. The Saronic Gulf — Hydra, Spetses, Aegina, and Poros — is perfect for shorter charters just an hour from Athens. The Dodecanese — Rhodes, Kos, and Symi — suits longer itineraries in the eastern Aegean.